Things Fall Apart - Chapter 17

Questions and Answers

What do the missionaries do at the marketplace every night?

Sleep

What do the missionaries do during the day?

Preach the Christian gospel.

What do the missionaries ask the leaders?

For land on which to build a church.

What do the elders agree regarding the missionaries' request?

Give the missionaries a part of the Evil Forest. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the leaders of the village think the missionaries are foolish?

The missionaries took the cursed land. Signup and view all the answers

What were the leaders expecting when the missionaries took land in the Evil Forest?

According to tradition, the missionaries will be dead in a few days. Signup and view all the answers

What caused surprise and disappointment to the villagers?

The missionaries built their church without difficulty. Signup and view all the answers

What did the people of Mbanta start to think?

The white man possesses incredible magic and power. Signup and view all the answers

What was especially impressive about the missionary?

The missionary and the church survived twenty-eight days - the longest period the gods allowed a person to defy them. Signup and view all the answers

What was important about the first woman that converts?

She was pregnant and previously had abandoned four sets of twins (8 children). Signup and view all the answers

Where does the white man go?

To Umuofia. Signup and view all the answers

Who assumes the responsibility for the Mbanta congregation?

Mr. Kiaga Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mr. Kiaga?

The white man's interpreter. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Nwoye as the number of converts grow?

He secretly becomes more attracted to the religion. Signup and view all the answers

What does Nwoye want to do?

Attend Sunday church service. Signup and view all the answers

Why doesn't Nwoye go to church?

He fears the wrath of his father. Signup and view all the answers

Who sees Nwoye inside the Christian church?

Okonkwo's cousin. Signup and view all the answers

How does Okonkwo react to the news of Nwoye in church?

He says nothing to his cousin. Signup and view all the answers

How does Okonkwo react when Nwoye returns home?

He beats Nwoye with a heavy stick. Signup and view all the answers

Who interrupts Okonkwo's rage?

Unchendu does. Signup and view all the answers

What does Nwoye do when Okonkwo's rage is interrupted?

He leaves the hut and never returns. Signup and view all the answers

What does Nwoye decide to do?

He moves to Umuofia. Signup and view all the answers

What does Nwoye hope to do?

Return someday to convert his mother, brothers, and sisters. Signup and view all the answers

How does Okonkwo react to Nwoye's actions?

At first, he is furious with his son, but he concludes that Nwoye is not worth his anger. Signup and view all the answers

What does Okonkwo fear?

After his death, his younger sons will abandon the family ancestors because they have become attracted to the new religion. Signup and view all the answers

What does Okonkwo wonder?

How he gave life to such a foolish and womanly son. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Nwoye resemble?

Unoka. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Missionaries in Mbanta

Missionaries preach the Christian gospel during the day and sleep at the marketplace at night.
They requested land from village leaders to construct a church.

Elders' Decisions and Reactions

Elders agreed to give the missionaries a part of the Evil Forest, believing it would lead to their demise.
The missionaries occupied the cursed land, surprising leaders, who initially thought they would die quickly.

Shift in Beliefs

Villagers began to see the missionaries possessing incredible magic and power as they survived in the Evil Forest.
The missionary church's survival for twenty-eight days defied the gods, impressing many locals.

Nwoye’s Journey

The first woman to convert had previously abandoned four sets of twins, highlighting the church's outreach impact.
Nwoye becomes secretly attracted to the new religion as the number of converts grows, yearning to attend church services.

Familial Conflict

Nwoye hesitates to attend church due to fear of his father's wrath.
Okonkwo’s cousin spots Nwoye in church, but Okonkwo chooses to remain silent about it initially.

Confrontation and Consequences

Upon Nwoye's return home, Okonkwo reacts violently, beating him with a heavy stick.
Okonkwo’s rage is interrupted by Unchendu, leading to Nwoye leaving the hut and never returning.

Nwoye's New Path

Nwoye decides to move to Umuofia, aiming to return someday to convert his mother and siblings.
Although initially furious, Okonkwo later concludes that Nwoye is not worth his anger, reflecting his internal conflict.

Fears of Legacy

Okonkwo fears that after his death, his younger sons will abandon ancestral traditions due to the allure of the new religion.
He questions how he produced a "foolish and womanly" son, revealing his deep-seated disappointment in Nwoye.

Familial Resemblance

Nwoye bears a resemblance to Unoka, Okonkwo’s father, whom Okonkwo views with disdain for his perceived weakness.

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Test your knowledge of Chapter 17 from 'Things Fall Apart' with these flashcards. This quiz focuses on key terms and questions about the missionaries and their activities in the story. Engage with the text and deepen your understanding of its themes and characters.